May 29/04 6:10 am - Montreal World Cup: Full Results and Story

Posted by Editoress on 05/29/04

Montreal Women's World Cup

By Mike Badyk

Genevieve Jeanson (Rona) won a waiting game when she claimed her second consecutive win at the Montreal World Cup road race. Usually it is the 3 kilometre climb up Mont Royal, which the riders faced 12 times, which determines the outcome of the race. However, this year, after 99 kilometres, the race came down to a sprint over the final 500 metres.

Jeanson spent much of the day at the front of the peloton but rarely led, in order to conserve energy. Her positioning was ideal to observe her rivals, and chase any racers who tried to escape off the front of the bunch. She was ably assisted by her young Rona team mate Erinne Willock, who wins the award for the ride of the day. Willock was always in a position to assist Jeanson, and often set the pace up the Mont Royal climb.

French legend Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (Composite Equipe International) stayed near the front of the race for many of the early laps, to the delight of the crowd. Longo, a 5 time Olympian, and multiple medal winner, is trying to gain a spot on the French National Team for an unprecedented 6th Olympic Games.

The first half of the race was a war of attrition, with riders shed from the peloton each lap, thanks to the pace. Due to the strong winds swirling around Mont Royal, any rider who found themselves behind the main group was forced to expend a great deal of energy in order to get back on. Such a fate befell Lyne Bessette (Quark Cycling Team) on lap 8 when she suffered a flat. Bessette was able to rejoin the main group, but the chase took its toll. She finished a fine 10th, but clearly wanted more. "I spent a lot of energy coming back through the cars (support vehicles). The girls were going fast because they knew I had a flat. Emilie (Roy) came back but I think she was tired already and Magali (Le Floch) was done. I felt good. I had a good race. It was the last 400m. It was very positive. I wanted to win. It's Saturday and it wasn't my day."

At the conclusion of lap 8, Annette Beutler (Composite Equipe International) launched a strong attack at the top of the climb up Mont Royal. Beutler was immediately chased by Jeanson and Willock, as well as Olivia Gollan (Australian National team). As Beutler faded, Barbara Heeb (Composite Equipe International) set the pace through lap 9 and 10. The pace of the lead group continued to increase through the last 2 laps, with more riders being shed from the peloton. At the start of the final lap there was a tight group of about 20 with Jeanson and Heeb leading. This set the stage for the final long climb up Mont Royal to be the deciding factor.

Coming into the final corner with 400 metres remaining, Jeanson attacked. She was able to get a sizable gap on her rivals, and crossed the line for the win with her arm raised in the air. Taking second place was Judith Arndt (Nurnberger Versicherung) and third was Olivia Gollan (Australian National Team).

Jeanson explained her strategy after the race to a huge crush of reporters. "It was a waiting game up the last climb. I was watching anyone who could sprint. Every move I watched. They didn't do it (sprint) so I did. That's fine with me. I was confident I could do it, but on the other hand you're never 100% confident. You don't know what can happen. I knew that they were in trouble. 500m was too long so I planned to attack in the last corner when I did. I put everything into it."

Jeanson and the entire Rona Cycling Team were ecstatic at her win. "My team is always amazing at the Montreal World Cup, and this year was no different. They did a super job and Erinne (Willock) was my little mountain sheep."

Willock, despite much time at the front, still finished a strong 15th, only 16 seconds behind Jeanson. The young Victoria BC rider was elated with her performance. "I felt great out there. The conditions were perfect for me. It was good to be near the front for most of the race."

Golan commented afterwards on the difficulty of the race. "On the third last lap Heeb had a good lead for a while. So many people were riding strong. Longo was very aggressive but probably spent too much energy too early. She showed she still has the power, though."

Jeanson was asked about the drug controversy surrounding her, in light of her win. Speculation, some valid, some not, has been a constant companion to her since last October's Worlds in Hamilton when she was not allowed to start the road race after recording a high hematocrit level the morning of the event. The subsequent drug test cleared her of any wrong doing, but recently she missed a drug test at the Fleche Wallone World Cup in Belgium, which has only served to add fuel to the fire.

According to the rules, Jeanson still has a week to explain why she missed the test, which she said was completely her own fault when she became rattled by a pre-race hematocrit test that first showed her to be above the limit (49 to the allowed 47), but then below (44.5). USA Cycling, who issued her licence, is expected to rule on her explanation next week.

However, the convincing win in Montreal has done much to redeem her status.

"I'm so happy I can't even describe it. It's a relief. I never raced under such pressure and I cannot believe that I did well. I don't think that I blocked everything out. I remember on Friday looking at myself in the mirror and telling myself to relax and enjoy. I had extra energy, I don't know if it was good or bad, but it did help me over the top."

With her win, Jeanson has met the Olympic qualification criteria and joins the pool of riders from whom three will be selected for Athens. Her selection is almost assured, depending upon the decision of USA Cycling (who could issue a suspension).